‘I’m a pretty decent passer’: Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine not just a shooter

It’s clear the Winnipeg Jets’ top line is firing on all cylinders again after combining for seven points in the win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Moving Patrik Laine to the number one line alongside Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele three weeks ago is paying huge dividends.

“It’s a completely different style of game, right,” head coach Paul Maurice said.

“I got three right handed shots there, so when he (Laine) opens up, he’s got two guys who are very, very fast. So Blake (Wheeler) just drives the pace, and Mark (Scheifele) is very good at finding holes off that.”

“I’m not just a shooter,” Laine said. “I’m a pretty decent passer as well, like we saw in this game.”

Laine’s deadly shot is well known throughout the league, so with goalies committing to his shot, it’s opening up more chances for his linemates.

“All eyes are on him when he’s got the puck in a scoring area, so I think people lose track of the other guys going to the net,” Wheeler said. “We don’t want to take that away from him, but there’s times where the right play is pass, and he’s making the play at the right time.”